THE THIRD DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1931, Page 5

THE THIRD DAY

ADDRESS IN EEPLY

DEBATE CONTINUED

The Address-in-Rep]y debate was continued in the House of Representatives last night. Mr. T. Makitanara (United, Southern Maori) said that as a representative of the Native race he recognised that all sections of the community were called upon to make considerable sacrifices. It was his opinion that tha Government should concentrate on the settlement of land, aa .the great majority of the nation's wealth came from that source. He appreciated the work which the Minister of Native Affairs had done in the direction of settling Natives on the land, particularly in tha South Island. Never before had any Government como forward to help Natives as the present Government had done. Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) said that the country wai facing a first-rate crisis with a secondrate Government. All public works ia the country should be reviewed, becausa they were the big avenues of expenditure. The Government. would hav« been wiso had it retained the control of the Railway Department. He suggested that the Minister of Defenco should advise the House what the Government was doing in connection with, aerial defence, because when the Hawkes Bay disaster occurred there was only one aeroplane fit to go to the affected area. The banks were simply, throttling industry and the farmers as well. It was not fair that they should pay 14 per cent, to their shareholders." Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarino): "That is only their declared profits." Mr. Fletcher said that benzine wai coming in to New Zealand at less than 6d per gallon, and was being sold at Is 6d per gallon, plus taxy in. the main, centres. He wondered why the Government did not dare to tackle the oil companies. He urged the manuf acturo of motor-car tires in New Zealand, and considered that the: Government should ask the English, motor-ear manufacturers to set up assembly plants in New Zealand. A great deal could be dono with low-grade ore's. • FARMERS' DIFFICULTIES. Mr. A. Hamilton (Reform, Wallace)" spoke of distress amongst the farmers, and referred to the drift of young people to the towns as one of the maiu unemployment difficulties. It was ona of the chief duties of a Government to see that the national income was equitably distributed, and that was a pressing problem to-day. New Zealand waa endeavouring to maintain a standard of living about 50 per cent, above pre-war level, while Britain had got. back below the pre-war level. We must adjust ourselves to world conditions, and Parliament must take that work in, hand. The farmers were practically; without income to-day. His difficulty; was that he could not sell his produce on the same basis as" the things he- had to purchase. He objected to selling his •wool at below pre-war prices and paying double the price for a suit 'o£ clothes. He hoped the Government •would succeed in reducing the rate of interest by at least % per cent. Other essentials were that to deal with unemployment, stop borrowing in. London:, and let exchange free itself to the benefit of the exporters, give assistance in farm road rates, and reduce farming costs. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau), said it was surprising that the Government had to set up all sorts of commissions and boards, when they had men in the House who had practical experience of: farming and practically every form of business.' The electors would want to know why members of Parliament did not do the job which. they were > sent to Parliament to' do. Private • members were allowed to in* troduee Bills, but it was very seldom that they were given the opportunity; of proceeding with them. Members were placed on Committees, but they; were not asked to deal with anything except a few petitions. Mr. V. Ward (United,' Inve-cargill)] said that everyone regretted the reductions the Government had,to put into effect, but businesses throughout tho country were ■ experiencing a trying time. He was quite sure that the Civil servants would feel that tho salary reductions were necessary. DOLE AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Reform, Riccar. ton) said he did not believe the. dole'l system would solve "unemployment. Haj advocated land settlement, and referred to the needs of the farmers* The Government should consider very; closely the dumping of Russian goods in New Zealand, and ho said he would like to know what Russia was going to take from use in return.. A voice: "Wool." Mr. Kyle: "I hope so." Next thing* perhaps," Russian wheat would bo conf ing in. ;-■,■_:■ Mr. J. W. Munro (Labour, DuneifUl North) said that the United G6v_er» ment came into power with all kw.9i of promises. It set out under Sit, Joseph Ward with sincere intentions,but after his death it had been stampeded by vested interests. During tho; last two sessions the United and Reform Parties might well have fused, because during that time there had been! no difference in' their policies. There was a wonderful field of exploitation ini afforestation in New Zealand, as was shown by the work done on tho Dunedin watershed. The greatest boon to' the farmer to-day would be qheap money. Mr. W. A. Bodkin . (United, Central Otago) moved the adjournment of the debate, and tho House adjourned until 10.30 o'clock this morning.